What are the recommended cervical cancer screening intervals?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends cervical cancer screening at least every three years beginning three years after the onset of sexual activity or at age 21, whichever comes first. Pap tests are commonly used to screen for cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends: • All women should begin cervical cancer screening about three years after they begin having vaginal intercourse, but no later than when they are 21 years old. Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every two years using the newer liquid-based Pap test. • Beginning at age 30, women who have had three normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every two to three years with either the regular or newer liquid-based Pap test. Women who have certain risk factors such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth, HIV infection, or a weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, or chronic steroid use should continue to be screened annual
